So Happy!!!! The whole week before the marathon I spent so much time analyzing what was the right way to run the race to be succesful. I was so mentally exhausted by Thurs afternoon that I wanted to scream. I came to the conclusion... I am doing this for fun and I am sucking all the fun out of it. I have trained really well and really smart so come race day I will just let the chips fall where they may and hope for the best. As you all know there are plenty of things out of are control on race day and we all spend too much time worrying about what we can't change....weather, sickness, time of the month (sorry men), etc.
Thankfully my baby weened herself from breast feeding a week before the race so I didn't have to worry about bringing a breast pump....so one thing I got to check of my worry list. (again sorry men) :)
Race Morning... woke at 3:45 AM read, prayed, dressed, potty, ate banana with Peanut Butter and a asiago cheese bagel only took a sip of water because I have a loose bladder. :) I made sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday of the week leading up to race day to insure I was well hydrated.
Rode bussed with Ana, Jackie, Flory, Joe and friend. Got to start line around 6:10 and went straight to the bathroom line. Jackie, Ana, Flory, Joe, and I were the last ones to make it into POP before gun went off. Crossed start line about 4 min behind.
The only miles I told myself I would pay attention to my watch were the first 3 to make sure I did not go out too fast. I felt really calm and really prepared. The two things I told myself over and over durning the first 14 miles were "Conserve" and "Trust in the Lord with all thy might mind and strength." I knew I needed to make it to mile 14 feeling great and having plenty of energy so I held back and made sure I ran comfortable the whole way. I knew miles 8-12 could be slower because they were an uphill grade so I didn't panic when my splits were slower. I honestly didn't take mental notes at each mile because I was just enjoying the race and focused on keeping myself calm and focused.
Just before each water stop I took two energy chews and then drank a gatorade and a water at each stop. I did this till mile 15 and then I took 3 energy chews at this mile. I had a hard time getting them down. I kept burping and almost throwing them up. My stomach was feeling off and then my heart starting raceing and it scared my for a minute. I calmed myself down and I slowed down and took it easy till I felt okay. I also decided that I would not take the energy chews any longer. They had caffeine in them so I was worried they were affecting my heart. I did train with them though and never reacted this way. I was worried about not eating anything from 15 on but I felt it was a better choice then chancing me puking or having a problem with my heart. At each water stop after this I drank two glasses of gatorade for the calories and one glass of water. I dumped water on me a couple of times just to avoid getting hot but don't remember which miles. At mile 19 I started getting goose bumps and I felt myself start panicing thinking my body was going into shock. Again I calmed myself down and slowed a bit too make sure everything was OK.
I truly felt good this whole race. I can't say I felt that it was my best running day physically but it was definatley a great mental running day. I was able to keep things in perspective and not panic. I ran comfortable the whole time and really enjoyed the experience. Having said that it makes me wonder if I could have run faster but again at what cost? I may have crossed the finish line delirious or may have pushed too hard and ended up walking at the end. Who knows.. all I know is I PR'd by 11 min and enjoyed every step of the way.
In reading others blogs so many people felt affected by the heat but I honestly was not hot the entire race. I was wearing a hat and I also wonder if I was better contioned for the heat since I live in CA.
My boston time for 2013 needs to be 3:35:00 so I am 5 seconds over which is ridiculous but I did qualify 2012 needing a 3:40. Too bad it is already full. Although, I do feel that too many of us use Boston as our measurment for success and don't enjoy the journey. I am enjoying the success of this race... boston or not.
My legs are SUPER sore and I am really not enjoying walking like and old woman. I am enjoying the piggy back rides up the stairs from my husband!!! :)
Splits 8:16, 8:13, 8:02, 7:35, 7:50, 7:34, 7:36, 8:42 (veyo), 8:25, 8:37, 8:38, 8:21, 8:02, 8:18, 7:49, 7:48, 8:10, 8:11, 8:17, 8:21, 7:56, 8:30, 8:29, 7:52, 7:41, 8:52, my watch ended at 26.37 so I am not really sure what the .2 is since it seems that I ran .37 :)
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